Kilchurn Castle

Photo by Alfredo De Simone

Some countries are blessed with a combination of natural beauty, historical monuments and great weather. Scotland has it all, except the weather. Yet Scots, who have mastered the art of tourism like few others, will ensure there is no dwelling on such a minor detail. Here, family fun is assured no matter what Mother Nature has planned for outside. And the search for magic in the liking of Harry Potter is just the beginning. Hillwalking and historical sites, city touring and canoeing, island hoping and a great variety of museums make certain that a family holiday in Scotland is enjoyable and exciting.

Whether you plan to hill walk, horseback ride or bike through mountains and mores, sail or windsurf along miles and miles of untamed coast or relax on one of Scotland's many islands, families will quickly discover what has inspired painters, poets and writers for centuries over. The rugged natural beauty of the Scottish landscape will prove hard to forget long after your holiday is over.

And the Scots value each moment in history as much as every feature of their land. They will draw your attention to every stone, ruin and castle, making even the smallest feature significant. As you stroll through the country's historic sites and nearly 400 museums help older children as they wonder, what makes the Scottish national identity so strong?

Once you've taken in the landscape and uncovered the country's history why not give Scotland's cities a try. Glasgow, with its modern architecture, art galleries and fashionable restaurants, and Edinburgh's dramatic setting and elegance are sure to please even the most urban jaded families.

While your children may not be ready for "haggis" - a spicy sausage made of sheep or lamb innards, mixed with oatmeal, cooked in the animal's stomach and served with mashed turnip and potatoes -- hearty breakfasts and fresh seafood will ensure they are well nourished throughout the family holiday. The AA's (Automobile Association) Rosette ratings offer a reliable guide to restaurants. While children are not allowed in the bar area, a meal at a local pub offers an insight into Scottish social life.

Families traveling to Scotland will arrive by plane, train or car. Major carriers arrive/depart both the BAA Edinburgh and Glasgow airports. Most European low-cost airlines arrive/depart Glasgow's Prestwick Airport located 32 miles southwest of the city. Traffic at the Inverness Airport is limited to flights originating in the UK. Train travel is a fast and efficient way for families to reach Edinburgh and Glasgow from London and other points south.

Train travel in Scotland is an efficient way to get around. Ferries make travel to the Scottish Isles fast and convenient. Drivers heading north from Edinburgh and Glasgow will need to adjust their pace; the roads are predominately single carriageway or two lane only.

Passports must be valid for length of stay except for residents of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Switzerland and Norway traveling on a valid national identity card. A visa is not required for tourist stays of up to 90 days.

The best time of the year to visit Scotland is in from April to October. While many travel guides and tourism websites suggest that there is a dry season in April and May, in reality you are likely to encounter rain no matter when you travel to Scotland. In the peak season, July-August, it can be hot and sunny one day and wet and cold the next.